Product display strip

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention provide a product display strip designed to induce impulse purchases. The product display strip comprises a semi-flexible elongate member, an integrated anchoring member, and a plurality of semi-rigid retainers, each configured to support, couple, and retain an attached product during shipment, stocking, and display of the product.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/932,740, filed Nov. 8, 2019, entitled “Product Display Strip,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to commercial product displays, specifically display strips designed to induce and maximize impulse purchases by customers. Particularly, the invention provides a product display strip having an integrated mounting anchor and a plurality of semi-rigid retainers configured to couple and retain product during loading of the product onto the display, shipping of the product to a commercial retailer, and while the product is displayed for sale.

In commercial retail, display strips are often used to both store and display product without said product taking up shelf space, allowing a retailer to offer greater numbers and more varied products. Additionally, display strips can be placed in strategic locations within an establishment to induce impulse purchases by customers. Additionally, the typically low cost to manufacture the display strips provides a valuable tool for a retailer to utilize in offering for sale, and actually selling, more product.

Most display strips comprise a strip of material having means for attaching a removable anchor to the strip from the top and further having a plurality of pegs, hooks, or loops to hold product offered for sale. The display strips typically comprise plastics, metal, cardboard, or a combination thereof to form a flexible structure. Once the product is removed and sold, new product may either be attached to the display strip, or the entire strip replaced with a new, full strip. The former task is time-consuming task that often results in malfunction or destruction of one or more of the plurality of pegs, hooks, or loops that hold product.

Current display strips also typically incorporate a removable anchor, made of plastic or metal formed into an ‘S’ shape attached through a hole at an end of the display strip. The removable anchor of these and other known display strips must either be attached by the commercial retailer after shipment or must be attached to the display strip prior to shipping. The former action requires another time-consuming step, while the latter often results in shipment issues where the removable anchor has become detached from the display strip and must be reattached or completely replaced if the anchor was lost during shipping. Additionally, metal ‘S’ shape removable anchors pose issues to safety both when detached from the display strip and still attached, having jagged metal edges that could harm a worker, shipper, or consumer. Further, the use of metal anchors burdens shipping processes where an x-ray machine or metal detector may sound when passed over the box containing the strips, typically requiring further inspection from officials and delaying shipping times.

Some display strips are pre-loaded with product prior to shipment to a commercial retailer, requiring a retailer to perform one step in replacing the display strip once the product is sold. However, the same issues that surround the removable anchor of current display strips frequently applies to product loaded onto the display strips. While loading product onto the display strips prior to shipping usually saves valuable time, pre-loaded product also has a tendency to detach from the display strips during shipping. This defeats the purpose of pre-loading the product, since the retailer will need to reload it upon arrival.

Some display strips attempt to solve the issue by integrating mechanical attachment means such as clips. However, such means increase the cost and time to manufacture the display strips, decreasing the overall financial benefit of utilizing the display strips. Further, a common problem with known display strips is weak retainers that fail to support the product being displayed, frequently leading to the product falling off in shipping or while on display. Even where an attachment means successfully retains a product, the result is typically a near-permanent attachment, wherein the product cannot be removed, even intentionally, without considerable unreasonable effort or force.

There is a present need for a product display strip that is capable of sufficiently retaining product during shipping activities, while also remaining easy, quick, and low cost to manufacture. There is also a need for a product display strip that incorporating an anchoring means that is immune to detachment, while also maintaining the flexible and structurally stable characteristics necessary for the display strip to function properly.

The present invention attempts to remedy the shortcomings of prior art product display strips by providing a display strip having an integrated anchor member that remains both structurally sturdy and flexible. The present invention also attempts to remedy shortcomings of prior art product display strips by further providing a display strips having a plurality of semi-rigid retainers configured to couple a displayed product while maintaining overall structural rigidity of the display strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a product display strip having a semi-flexible elongate member and an integrated anchoring member that is both structurally sturdy and flexible. The product display strip further comprises a plurality of semi-rigid retainers configured to couple a displayed product and maintain overall structural stability of the display strip and attached product during shipping, stocking, and display activities.

In one embodiment of the invention, the product display strip comprises an elongate member having a first end and a second end, and a first face and a second face. The first end further comprises an anchor member configured to couple another structure and provide a stable connection for the display strip to subsequently hang from.

In another embodiment of the invention, the elongate member of the product display strip further comprises a plurality of semi-rigid retainers disposed therethrough, such that the retainers are accessible from either the first face or from the second face of the product display strip. The plurality of semi-rigid retainers is configured such that each is capable of coupling a variety of types of products, thereby retaining the product and preventing accidental detachment from the display strip during shipment activities.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the product display strip may be configured to allow product to be attached to both faces of the display strip simultaneously. The display strip may comprise a first plurality of retainers disposed along and accessible from the first face of the elongate member of the display strip, and a second plurality of retainers disposed upon and accessible from the second face of the elongate member of the display strip.

In another embodiment, each of the plurality of the retainers may comprise retainers configured to couple more than one product each. Each of the plurality of retainers may further comprise a first coupler, accessible from the first face of the elongate member and configured to couple a first product; and a second coupler, accessible from the second face of the elongate member and configured to couple a second product.

In another embodiment of the invention, the anchoring member comprises a first end and a second end. The first end of the anchoring member being configured to permanently couple and attach to an end of the elongate member. The second end of the anchoring member further comprises a hook-like structure configured to attach to a separate structure, thereby retaining the product display strip thereto. In some embodiments of the invention, the anchoring member comprises an openable loop structure formed from a hook-like structure and a retention member.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the anchoring member is further configured to moveably couple the elongate member, such that the elongate member and any attached product may move about a vertical axis of the product display strip. The anchoring member may be configured to allow partial or complete rotation of the elongate member and any attached product about the vertical axis of the product display strip.

The methods, systems, and apparatuses are set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or can be learned by practice of the methods, apparatuses, or can be learned by practice of the methods, apparatuses, and systems. The advantages of the methods, apparatuses, and systems will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the methods, apparatuses, and systems, as claimed. More details concerning these embodiments, and others, are further described in the following figures and detailed description set forth herein below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a profile view of the product display strip according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of one retainer of the plurality of retainers according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a profile view of the integrated anchoring structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a profile view of the integrated anchoring structure according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a profile view of the retention member and openable loop structure according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is described in reference to the accompanying drawings and following embodiments that are presented for the purpose of illustration and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention thereto.

The present invention relates to product display strips designed to promote or induce impulse purchases. Particularly, a product display strip 100 having an elongate member 110, an integrated anchoring member 120, and a at least one semi-rigid retainer 130 configured to support, couple, and retain an attached product during shipment, stocking, and display thereof.

The product display strip 100, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises an elongate member 110 having a first end and a second end, and a first face and a second face. The first end further comprises an integrated anchoring member 120 configured to couple another structure and provide a stable connection for the product display strip 100 to subsequently hang from. The elongate member 110 may further comprise a semi-flexible structure, being manufactured through injection molding, three dimensional printing, or a means known in the art to form a structure that is capable of withstanding unequal, opposing, and frequent sheering and torsional forces without damage or deformation of the overall structure of the elongate member 110.

The elongate member 110 of the product display strip 100 further comprises at least one retainer 130 disposed therethrough, such that each retainer 130 is accessible from either the first face or from the second face of the product display strip 100. The product display strip 100 may include more than one retainer 130. Each retainer 130 is configured such that the retainer 130 is capable of coupling a given item or piece of a product, thereby retaining the product and preventing accidental detachment from the product display strip 100 during shipment activities.

In some embodiments, each retainer 130 may be formed by the elongate member 110 itself, having the same structural characteristics thereof. In other embodiments, each retainer 130 may comprise semi-rigid material formed separately from the elongate member 110 and then permanently attached to the elongate member 110. Each retainer 130 may further comprises sufficient structural stability such that the retainer 130 can hold and retain attached product while also allowing for intentional detachment of attached product by a consumer or worker.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of one retainer 130 according to an embodiment of the invention. The retainer 130 may further include an opening disposed along a surface of the elongate member 110 and a hitching structure 132 protruding within or through the opening and configured to couple and retain a product by engaging a specific structure of the product itself, such as an eyelet, hook, loop, tag, or another means attached to or part of the product. The hitching structure 132 may further comprise a narrow first end 134 coupled to the elongate member 110 and a broad second end 136 configured to prevent a product from detaching from the product display strip 100. In some embodiments the broad second end 136 of the hitching structure 132 may extend laterally such that a gap between an edge of the opening disposed through the elongate member 110 and the hitching structure 132 is minimized or eliminated to further prevent detachment of product. The hitching structure 132 of each retainer 130 further comprises a semi-rigid structure capable of supporting a product coupled to it while simultaneously allowing the hitching structure 132 to bend laterally away from the elongate member 110 enough to attached said product thereto.

In another embodiment of the product display strip 100, the retainers may be configured to allow product to be attached to both faces of the elongate member 110 simultaneously. The product display strip 100 may comprise a first retainer disposed along and accessible from the first face of the elongate member 110 of the product display strip 100. Further, the product display strip 100 may also include a second retainer disposed upon and accessible from the second face of the elongate member 110 of the product display strip 100. A plurality of first retainers may be disposed along the first face of the elongate member 110 such that each first retainer coincides with a second retainer of the plurality of second retainers disposed along the second face of the elongate member 110. The plurality of first retainers and the plurality of second retainers may also be disposed along the first face and second face, respectively, of the elongate member 110 such that the elongate member 110 comprises retainers in an alternating pattern along both faces thereof.

In another embodiment of the product display strip 100, each retainer 130 may be further configured to couple more than one product each. Each retainer 130 may comprise a first coupler, accessible from the first face of the elongate member 110 and configured to couple a first product. Each retainer 130 may then also comprise a second coupler, accessible from the second face of the elongate member 110 and configured to couple a second product. In yet another embodiment of the invention, a retainer 130 may comprise a single coupler configured to couple two or more products. In another embodiment of the invention, the coupler of each retainer 130 may comprise or be structurally identical to the hitching structure 132 as described in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates a profile view of the integrated anchoring member 120 of the product display strip 100. The anchoring member 120 comprises a hook-like structure 124, and a shank 122. The shank 122 is configured to couple together the first end and the second end of the anchoring member 120. One end of the anchoring member 120 is configured to permanently couple and attach to the elongate member 110. The second end of the anchoring member 120 may include a hook-like structure 124 configured to removably attach the product display strip 100 to a separate structure.

In some embodiments, the anchoring member 120 may include more than one shank 122 and more than one first ends, wherein each shank 122 couples a corresponding first end to a second end of the anchoring member 120. FIG. 4 illustrates a profile view of an alternate embodiment of the integrated anchoring member 120 of the product display strip 100. The anchoring member 120 may include a hook-like structure 124, a first shank 126 and a second shank 128. The first shank 126 and the second shank 128 are configured to couple together the first end and the second end of the anchoring member 120. The anchoring member 120 is coupled to the elongate member 110 in two locations.

In another embodiment of the invention, the anchoring member 120 may include more than one hook-like structure 124, where each hook-like structure 124 is configured to removably attach to one or more separate structures, thereby retaining the product display strip 100 thereto. In another embodiment of the invention, the product display strip 100 comprises more than one anchoring member 120, with each anchoring member 120 having at least one hook-like structure 124 and also having at least one shank 122.

In an alternate embodiment of the product display strip 100, the anchoring member 120 further comprises a first end that is moveably coupled to the elongate member 110, such that the elongate member 110 and any product attached to the elongate member 110 may move about a vertical axis of the product display strip 100. In such embodiments, the elongate member 110 may comprise a receiver at an end thereof (not shown). The anchoring member 120 further comprises a stopper formed by and attached to the first end of the anchoring member 120, wherein the first end is configured to moveably couple the receiver of the elongate member 110 and the stopper is configured to prevent complete decoupling of the anchoring member 120 from the elongate member 110. The anchoring member 120 and stopper may further be configured to allow partial or complete rotation of the elongate member 110 and any attached product about the vertical axis of the product display strip 100. In some embodiments, the anchoring member 120 may be rotationally coupled to the elongate member 110 through pressure-fit. In other embodiments, the anchoring member 120 may be rotationally coupled to the elongate member 110 through ratcheting teeth disposed upon the anchoring member 120 and within the receiver of the elongate member 110.

In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 5, the anchoring member 120 further comprises a hook-like structure 124 having a first end and a second end, the first end fixed to the at least one shank 122, and the second end removably coupled to a retention member 125. The retention member 125 of the anchoring member is further affixed at one end to the at least one shank 122, forming an openable loop structure comprising the hook-like structure 124 and the retention member 125.

The retention member 125 of the invention is further configured to couple the hook-like structure 124, such that the openable loop structure formed is only openable through displacement of the retention member and uncoupling it from the hook-like structure. In some embodiments, the retention member 125 may form part of the at least one shank 122.

Coupling between the retention member and the hook-like structure may be achieved via complimentary interlocking friction fit features disposed upon each. Coupling between retention member and the hook-like structure may also be facilitated via a spring-loaded feature disposed upon the retention member, the spring-loaded feature exerting a force through the retention member upon the hook-like structure, holding the two structures in a coupled state until an external force counteracts a force from the spring-loaded feature, thus decoupling the retention member 125 from the hook-like structure 124 and opening the openable loop.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate that the foregoing description of the invention has been made with reference to certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, which describe a product display strip having a semi-flexible elongate member, an integrated anchoring member, and a plurality of semi-rigid retainers, each configured to support, couple, and retain an attached product during shipment, stocking, and display thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand that obvious variations in system configuration, protocols, parameters or properties may be made without departing from the scope of the invention which is intended to be limited only by the claims appended hereto. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A product display strip, comprising: an elongate member; a first face; a second face; an anchoring member; and a plurality of semi-rigid retainers.
 2. The product display strip of claim 1, wherein each retainer of the plurality of semi-rigid retainers is formed by the elongate member.
 3. The product display strip of claim 1, wherein each retainer of the plurality of semi-rigid retainers comprises an opening disposed along a surface of the elongate member.
 4. The product display strip of claim 3, wherein each retainer of the plurality of semi-rigid retainers comprises a hitching structure configured to couple, support, and retain a product.
 5. The hitching structure of claim 4, further comprising a narrow first end coupled to the elongate member and a broad second end configured to prevent an attached product from detaching from the product display strip.
 6. The product display strip of claim 5, wherein each retainer of the plurality of retainers is further configured to allow product to be attached to both the first face and the second face of the product display strip simultaneously.
 7. The product display strip of claim 5, further comprising a second plurality of retainers disposed upon and accessible from the second face of the display strip.
 8. The product display strip of claim 5, wherein each retainer of the plurality of the retainers may be further configured to couple more than one product each.
 9. The product display strip of claim 8, wherein the anchoring member is moveably coupled to the elongate member, such that the elongate member may move about a vertical axis of the product display strip.
 10. The product display strip of claim 8, wherein the anchoring member is rotationally coupled to the elongate member by ratcheting teeth disposed upon the anchoring member and within the receiver of the elongate member.
 11. The product display strip of claim 8, wherein the anchoring member comprises at least one shank, having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to the elongate member and the second end coupled to a hook-like structure.
 12. The product display strip of claim 11, wherein the anchoring member further comprises a retention member having a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to an end of the at least one shank, and the second end coupled to an end of the hook-like structure.
 13. The product display strip of claim 12, wherein the anchoring member comprises an openable loop structure formed by the at least one shank, the hook-like structure, and the retention member.
 14. The product display strip of claim 13, wherein the retention member is removably coupled to the hook-like structure, such that the openable loop structure is opened via displacement and decoupling of the retention member from the hook-like structure.
 15. The product display strip of claim 14, wherein the retention member is removably coupled to the hook-like structure via complimentary interlocking friction fit features disposed upon each.
 16. The product display strip of claim 14, wherein the retention member is removably coupled to the hook-like structure via a spring-loaded feature disposed upon the retention member, the spring-loaded feature exerting a force through the retention member upon the hook-like structure. 